Our "sister blog" Arundel Muckraker, has uncovered some fun and exciting travel tips from our globetrotting mayor. Many of us recall the six weeks she spent in Europe in 2007....writing a few blog posts and generally having a grand time while Annapolis became known as a small-town murder capital. We were told that she went to Europe, at least one way, on an expensive cruise ship.
Muckraker has learned even more...when she chooses to travel the Lower 48, Ellen would rather take the train than a plane--even if it means you and I pay more--a lot more... and she is derelict in her duties for a longer period. Ellen even stays in hotels in Washington and Baltimore--also at our expense....even though she has a waterfront home in Eastport. Funny ain't it? I mean just these past few weeks, she was telling folks from all over the country coming to DC to witness that president thing, to stay in Annapolis! Yet she leaves Annapolis to stay in DC!! (And we are being asked to foot the bill for a homeless shelter?)
When CP was an employee for our fair city, travel for training or conferences forbade overnight expenses unless you were traveling at least 55 miles or some minimum such as that. Thus, a state transportation conference in Ocean City during low-cost and late October for example, was covered for an overnight, but a two-day training in Northern Virginia or a conference in Baltimore meant you could not take the lodging or meal reimbursement. Even mayoral-led trips to Harrisburg, PA and Fredericksburg, VA to study their downtown parking and transportation were up and back in one day affairs...but Ellen "O" can stay in a hotel. Why she uses the slow and much more expensive Amtrak rather than a faster and less costly jet is likely because she is either afraid of flying or gets motion sickness...the same motion sickness that keeps her off our city buses but not off of trains, cruise ships or even a racing yacht. See www.Trainspotting With Ellen "O" .
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10 Comments:
So much fun . . . so little positive advice.
Please write about what should be done: Crime, transportation, economy.
Every post should at least mention the big issues. Ellen's travel budget does not make the Top Ten list of REAL ISSUES.
She's afraid of flying. It's a very real fear and not something that should be mocked. There are plenty of other reasons to be upset with her, but unless you know what it's like to have such a phobia, this one should be off your list.
Okay. Granted. It is a very real fear for some people. But so is fear of speaking in public--for many people. So is fear of water and swimming. Some people are afraid of riding a horse. The mayor is a pretty courageous and tough person. If going to all these places is so important for city business, and the mayor is afraid of flying, and going by train takes a lot longer and costs a lot more, there are alternatives. Send someone else, don't go or reimburse we taxpayers for the difference. I suppose it is a good thing she is not Secretary of State
So much fun eh? You think it's easy to have this much fun? At least that's what my lovely 86 year old aunt in Boca always asks me. Here's the deal. I write about good stuff. I write about bad stuff. S--- happens. I rarely if ever make the news. I report it.
As to crime, transportation, economy. I don't know much about crime 'cept what I sees....and hears...and reads. But I write about it in an honest and straightforward manner--as I write about everything. Take it...or leave it. As for transportation--do you ever really read CP? I write about transportation and I act on behalf of improving it all the time....locally, regionally and nationally. As for our economy...well I try to be productive. What can I say? I can't figure out much of anything about the dismal science. But I have written about economic issues....with trepidation.
Finally, "every post should at least mention the big issues." Oh yeah? Who says? You? And who are you Ms. Anonymous? If you wish to write about anything, please do so. Please...and I may publish what you say...but we will need to know who you are. Sorry, but that's ironclad. You hassle me but...why don't you write? We are waiting.... And finally once again....the mayor's travel budget may not make the Top Ten...but I don't have a Top Ten list. You got me confused with David Letterman but it happens regularly...I wish...
She needs a travel slush fund! Since she can't solve the $2 billion state deficit with her "great citizens bailout" of $4 per Marylander,maybe she'll ask Annapolis to send the $4 to her instead. Then she can travel as much as she wants any way she wants for the next ten months.
A one way ticket to Timbuktu is worth four bucks to me
$4 per Marylander. That was a doozey!
doozie? Dewzie? Whatever...
New resolution for Council: All Mayoral Candidates must have rudimentary math skills.
I assume you saw the piece in yesterday's Capital about the $4 per Marylander right?
Yes. I saw it. Laughed. Cried. There is an old saying in Annapolis that a mayor need only be able to count to five--as in a five vote majority on city council.
Whether it was four dollars of four hundred apiece, the concept opens up a door of scary possibilities......I fell like Lurch on the Addams Family shaking his head and groaning....Ugggghhhhhh
On a more serious note, a professional city manager is likely to have a masters degree in finance or administration....
Thought CP would comment on "Moyer Math" and her brilliant "citizens bailout plan" It isn't on the Cap website now and it deserves retelling with CP insight.
Funny story if it wasn't so embarrassing to the city.
Well thanks...but a retelling?... Would that be a re-Cap??I did comment above of course. I don't know if she can count to four, but as long as she can spell four, I mean Foer....ta damp!..Uhh...help me out here...I'm flaming...Let's see...since she likes horses, how about something about the four horsewomen of the apocalypse???...four more years? oh man, I'm dyin'.....please--you try a re-telling... but thanks again...you can catch my act at Ahh, Coffee!! I'll be there all week..and so will the half and half...So a politician, a blogger, a blog reader and a mathematician walk into a budget hearing. The politician takes a seat up front facing the audience. The blogger takes a seat facing the politician, the blogger faces his home computer and the mathematician......you fill in the blank...we'll make a contest. The winner gets four, or two plus two of something...
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